[To THE EDITOR OP THE SPEGFATOR."J
Sia,—Your recent article on " The Lessons of the Strike " is refreshing in its frank demand that the lawful occupations of the people in times of strike should be absolutely and efficiently protected from the interference of some of their number. If this is assured Trade Unionism will be relegated to its proper functions, and men will dare to do what they think it right to do. I write this although in oar immediate neighbourhood in this Midland coalfield the relations between owners and miners are perfectly satisfactory. We are having inter-colliery foot- ball matches, pit pony parades, and so forth, and the only grumbling appears to be that this district, that voted to accept the owners' proposals, should have to " hold the baby" for South Wales. However the strike ends here there will be no bitterness left, thank God. I agree with you that the owners have stated their offer badly. One would have thought that the voluntary offer of a well-thought-out scheme of profit- sharing would have met some commendation, but it was not explained, advertised, or summarized as it should have been. One would also have thought that the fact that colliery owners will not run their pits at a loss would not imply any great avarice or inhumanity in the owners, but their scheme has generally met with no more appreciation than if they had actually insisted on going back to pre-war conditions.—I arn,
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